Duddy calls

Middleweight Andy Lee is hoping to get the fight that could bring him to the attention of mainstream America, but that might mean taking a gamble

Andy Lee's all-round ability could earn him a fight against Ireland's John Duddy. (Diarmuid Greene)

Early this morning on a casino floor in Minnesota, Andy Lee went to work
against Troy Lowry, away from the cameras and the lights and the biggest
crowds. Two weeks ago, he broke Michael Walker down over eight rounds in
Ohio. On the surface, Walker and Lowry simply appear like another layer of
insulation on a well-padded record. The value Lee wrings from both, though,
could last longer than the memory of either fight.

Even though he had only fought twice in the past two years and lost his
previous three fights, Walker came with a decent record against some
stand-up fighters. Regardless of Walker’s prevailing form, the
Limerick-based Lee’s attitude and application was excellent. He fought tall
and used his jab well, unveiled a crushing uppercut as a new weapon and
floored Walker in three rounds.

When Walker responded over the following two rounds, Lee dismissed any old
concerns